Intermittent motion drive mechanism



May 18, 1965 H. WEBER 3,184,229

INTERMITTENT MOTION DRIVE MECHANISM Filed Aug. 28, 1959 ll Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR:

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May 18, 1965 H. WEBER INTERMITTENT MOTION DRIVE MECHANISM l1 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 28, 1959 INVENTOR May 18, 1965 WEBER INTERMITTENT MOTION DRIVE MECHANISM 1l Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 28, 1959 INV ENTOR C HANSPETEP WEBER ATTYS,

May 18, 1965 H. WEBER INTERMITTENT MOTION DRIVE MECHANISM 11 sheets-sheet 4 Filed Aug. 28, 1959 mvENToR: HANSPETER WEBER ATTYS.

May 18, 1965 H. WEBER 3,184,229

INTERMITTENT MOTION DRIVE MECHANISM Filed Aug, 28, 1959 l1 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTYS,

May 18,1965 H. WEBER INTERMITTENT MOTION DRIVE MECHANISM l1 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 28, 1959 fig.

INVENTOR BY HANSPETER WEBER wwn/f/ ATTYS,

May 18, 1965 H. WEBER INTERMITTENT MOTION DRIVE MECHANISM 11 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Aug. 28. 1959 INVENTORZ HANSPETER WEBER www ATTYS May 18, 1965 H. WEBER INTERMITTENT MOTION DRIVE MECHANISM 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Aug. 28,' 1959 INVENTOR.'

HANSPETER WEBER #wwf/M May 18, 1965 H. WEBER INTERMI'ITENT MOTION DRIVE MECHANISM 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Aug. 28, 1959 INVENTOR HANSPETER WEBER ATTYS May 18, 1965 H. WEBER 3,184,229

INTERMITTENT MOTION DRIVE MECHANISM HANSP ETER WEBER nNvENToR:

AT'TYS.

May 18, 1965 H. WEBER 3,184,229

INTERMITTENT MOTION DRIVE MECHANISM Filed Aug. 28. 1959 1l Sheets-Sheet 11 gl ,045- F/'Q-2- +0 576/?7' O- 202-2 FMP 1,/536/ I '22064 56 any K500-4 INVENTOR HA NSPETER WEBER www ATT YS United States Patent O 3 184 229 rNrnnMrr'raNr Morrois univa Mechanism Hanspeter Weber, Haddontield, NJ., assigner to Samuel M. Langston Company, Camden, NJ., a corporation of New .iersey Filed Aug. 28, 1959, Ser. No. 836,682 9 Claims. (Cl. 271-3) nThe present invention relates broadly to an intermittent motion drive mechanism, and more specifically to means for driving mechanism such as a pair of spaced chains intermittently for the purpose of transferring articles to be Worked on from one Work station to succeeding work stations in timed sequence with work pertaining members.

The mechanism of the present application has particular adaptability for use in machines used for performing operations on sheet material in the at state, such as a high speed automatically fed platen press used for die cutting, slotting, scoring and embossing of double faced corrugated or solid ber board of various flute compositions and/ or thicknesses.

Even more specically the present invention is adapted for use in automatically fed platen presses which, as is well-known, require a particular type of work sheet or piece transferring, intermittently from one position to another in timed sequence with the operation of the platen press. For purposes of illustration only, the intermittent motion drive mechanism of the present invention will be described with reference to a platen press of the nature shown in copending patent application S.N. 492,- 897, filed March 8, 1955, now Patent No. 3,004,456, and entitled Machines for Performing Gperations on Sheet Materials, assigned to a common assignee with the present application. Only such details of construction of the platen press structure per se will be included herein as are required for an understanding of the present invention and its operation. For details of such a platen press structure, reference is made to said copending patent application.

In most automatically fed platen presses now being manufactured, the method at present used to feed blanks into, through and out of the presses, is to employ a pair of endless chains which carry equally spaced cross bars on which are mounted grippers at spaced intervals across the length of the bars. These endless chains travel, one on each side of the platen work area and between the upright supports of the press. A plurality of grippers are used which, when suitably mounted at spaced intervals on cross bars, which are in turn equally spaced and connected on each end to the endless chains, and the chains are placed in motion intermittently move the gripper carrying bars which execute a motion of translation. As so arranged, they are capable of transferring a sheet or blank from one position to another, such as for example, from a feeding station into one or more work stations successively, and then into a station where the sheet or blank is discharged onto a stack or take-away conveyor.

The known grippers are designed to clamp the leading edge of the sheet material at the feed end of the machine, pull the blank or sheet through one or more work stations successively, and nally transfer it to the discharge station where a mechanism opens the grippers for discharging the blank onto a stack or a take-away conveyor. This necessitates placing the chains in motion intermittently so as to transfer the blank or sheet from one station to another in timed relationship with the work stroke of the press platen. The arrangement and movement of the pair of chains is such that at each standstill, a gripper bar is in a position such that the grippers can seize the leading edge of the blank or sheet pushed forward a short distance automatically by a kicker feed or the like, one at a time, either from the bottom of a stack of sheets in a 3,184,229 Patented May 18, 1965 ICC feed hopper utilizing guides which are adjustable to accommodate various size blanks, or a top feed mechanism in which the blanks are fed from the top of a progressively ascending stack to the grippers. At each standstill of the chains during intermittent motion thereof, the next succeeding bars on the chains are in positions such that the blanks or sheets are in one 0r more successive Work stations. Likewise, at each standstill of the chains, a bar at the discharge station carries a sheet which has been worked on in a previous station, and where the sheet is disconnected from the gripper devices and dropped or discharged, one on top of another in an orderly stack, or can be dropped on a take-away conveyor. Various of the bars carried by the endless chains are in idle positions around the drive or take-up sprockets or on the return chains. It is customary in the art to pull the at blanks or sheets through the machine by the leading edge which is adapted to be trimmed, with the trimmed material later scrapped.

In usual practice, a plurality of grippers are spaced at intervals across the length of the cross bars, and various types of jaws have been utilized in an attempt to insure a more positive grip. A new and novel type of blank or sheet gripper is disclosed in the present application, which gripper is the joint invention of the present applicant and Henry W. Moser, and which is claimed in a copending application SN. 827,658, led July 16, 1959, now Patent No. 3,162,682, and assigned to a common assignee herewith. Only such details of this improved and novel gripper will be shown and described herein, as is necessitated for a understanding of the present invention.

In most automatic platen press designs heretofore known, it has been customary for the endless chains to return over the top of the platen press. The intermittent motion for indexing such endless chains in existing platen presses, and other type machines requiring this particular type of work piece or sheet transferring, is usually provided by mechanisms including such as a Geneva wheel or other conventional intermittent motion indexing device; a crank operated reciprocating segment driving a pinion on the endless chain sprockets shaft; and a crank operated reciprocating rack driving a pinion on the endless chain sprockets shaft. In the latter two of the mentioned types, an overrunning clutch provides feeding in one direction and free-wheeling on the return stroke.

Heretofore known types of intermittent motion drive mechanisms have not been entirely satisfactory for various reasons. Many have difficulties in achieving precision positioning at high speeds because of inertia and momentum of the moving masses, which oppose the necessarily rapid succession of moving and stopping cycles, and are not susceptible of varying the time cycle of movement without changing the entire cycle of the machine. The rate of acceleration and deceleration of these machines cannot be varied without changing the entire mchanism or the time -cycle of the entire machine. Slip clutches, shear pins, or the like must also be provided in the known machines to provide for overload protection in cases of malfunctions or jams, and electrical interlocking devices or other means must be used for stopping the motion of the press platen in such cases of feed malfunctions or jams. Even with these provisions it may not be possible under certain circumstances to stop the machine in time to prevent damage.

it is accordingly a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved type of intermittent motion drive mechanism which has no diliiculty in achieving precision positioning at high speeds or for short time cycles, and in which the time cycle of intermittent movement and standstill can be easily and quickly varied Without changing the entire time cycle of the machine.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved intermittent motion drive'mechanism wherein the rate of acceleration and deceleration can each be varied independently without changing the over-all time cycle of themachine such as may be required when feeding a large or Yheavy'sheet or blank. For this purrpose, the time cycle of the feed and transfer can be decreased while the down and up positions times of the platen cycle can remain the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a mechanism in which the necessity for a `slip clutch or shear pin or the like is obviated for overload protection, nor are interlocking devices or throw out clutches required to stop the motion of the press platen in cases of malfunc FIG. 18 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, taken on line 18-18 of FIG. 16;

FIG'. 19 is a schematic hydraulic control circuit for the mechanism; f

FIG. 2O is a schematic electrical control circuit for the mechanism; and 1 f FIG. 21 is an enlarged fragmentary View ofa portion of the platen table and switches operable thereby.

tions or jams in the feeding or transferring of the blanks or sheets since, according to the invention, the platen does not operate until the blanks or sheets are in proper positions. l

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved intermittent motion drive mechanism consisting of a fluid powered motor with electrically and cam controlled uid control valves which will start, index a turret, pair of chains, .conveyor or the like and then stop it automatically in timed relationship with the work stroke of the machine. i' v Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings yin which; f

FIG; 1 is a fragmentary schematic view of an automatic Y platen press incorporating theY intermittent drive Vrnechanism of the present invention;

- FIG. 2a is a Yfragmentary side elevational vie w, partly in section, ofthe input end of ahigh speed automatically fed press platen; Y n

FIG. 2b is a view 'similar to FIG. 2a of the work dis- 'i charge end of such a machine;

FIG. 2c is a fragmentary view of guide means-forV the.' Chain; A l

FIG. 2d is a fragmentarysectional view taken online Y2de-2d of FIG. 2c;

Referring now to the various gures of the drawings, like reference characters are appliedto similar parts there- 0I'.V Y

Considering'the machine in terms of function and with reference to the primary component elements and their respective functions, work Isheets 20 from which in the present instance box blanksy are to be formed, are stacked upon a feed table 22. Associated vwith the table and functioning to maintain the stack 24accurately in predetermined position on the table is a back stop 26 adjustable in a known manner, which engages the rear of the stack,sride guides 28,V which coniine the opposite sides of the stack, and front stops 30 which can be so adjusted in a 'known manner to accommodate desired sizes of sheets and that the Vgap between the lower edges thereof and the confronting Ysurface Yof the 'feed tab le. isy yjust suiicient for passage of only lone of the sheets20 at a time.

Thesheets 20 are fed from theV bottom of the stack by Ymean'siof a feed bar broadly indicated 32 which has a limitedreciprocation between the rear edge ofthe stack Vand a point short fof the front stops Sti. The sheets 20 are fedby the bar 32 forwardly inthe direction of the platen press generally designated 34. Here Va detlector mechanism generally designated v3:6, including a plurality of .compo'nents. transversely spaced yon .a register gate shaft 3.8,- and in the present embodiment consisting of three components aswillappear hereinafter, deflect the leading edge of vthe sheet downwardly to a certain extent liso thatthe'leading edge will not catch on the'h-ooks hereinafterreferred to. l A guide member 49 mounted at the FIG. 3 Iis a fragmentary enlarged elevational view,

Y partly in section, of the input end of the machine showing details of the intermittent feed mechanism forV the blanks or sheets;

Y FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of portions of the feed mechanism taken on line 4-'4 of FIG. 3; i FIGS. 4a-4d respectively are enlarged sectional views taken on lines 4d-4d of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 4e and 4f areV sectionalviews taken on lines @le-4fk of FIGS. 4a-4d respectively;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG.V 4 taken on line'5-1-54` of FIG. 3;

' FIG. 6 isa fragmentary front elevational view* taken f Von line V6--6 of FIG. 3 to a reduced scale; *v

. FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view ofa portion of a feeder bar and a blank ory sheet'gripper secured thereto; f Y f FIGI 8 is an enlargedfragmentary'view in elevation andl y partly section of constructional detailsV at the sheet discharge endof the mechanism; l f Y 'FIG.; 9 is a fragmentary top plan view ofk that portion of the mechanism shownV in FIG. 8;

rso

FIGS. 10,' 11,12, and13 are schematic sectional views of sheet input operating. mechanism at the sheet input end, 4

tennittent drive of the mechanism; f

F1os. 14 and 15 are enlarged-Schematie'seetionarviews of the mechanism at Vthe dischargeendfof thern'achine showing Va successive' sequence of operational VphasesV thereof;

y FIG.- 16 is a fragmentary front elevationaljviewltakeri showing successive Operational phases thereof during Y inf 6.5

@tion of the sheet.

4b of the drawings wherein theplates 50 4are secured to embodiment,

rear end of feed table 22 supports the lowermost ones of Lthe sheets Yas will be seen from FIG. 2a"of the drawings. lThe sheetsV are pushed by feed bar 32 into registry with a register gate 42. Deflector plates 44 and 46 in the de- 'ector mechanism 36, serve to guide the sheet and deflect V'individual register gate plates are adapted for spacing Ain between the hooks as will appear hereinafter. The

Vgates'can .,be`rnade adjustable with the direction and against the direction of sheettravel to 'change the posi- This construction is shown in FIG.

the brackets/SZby bolts-S4` or the like. In the present l six dof the register gates kare spaced along shaftf38. Y Also spaced alongl the shaft 38 area plurality of 'brackets' 58- keyedthereto atr60 as shown in FIG. 4c

and-eachl carrying a Vhook support 62.1. ,These .hook supports62 are Hspacedfevenly with the 'hooks and each of the spaced hooks isbacked by the head'fof a bolt 64 for "purpose's'to'. appear.hereinafter.l VIn the'apparatus shown,

`twelve ofVthebrackets:5SA and hook supports are spaced evenly across theV length' ofshaftfrand'interspersed with "the other members carried'A thereby.

Two sensiugevices-:broadly designated at @Gare also mountedon'shaft 38andkeyed'theretoat 68, as shown in V'detail Vin'1 I;G. "V4 z. Thesefsensing devices 66 are evenly spaced andfclo'se enough kso that the minimum ywidth sheet 'vertical member 138.

will actua/te lever plates 70 carried 4on lever arms 72 by screws or the like 74 at their lower ends. The levers 72 are pivotally mounted on brackets 76 constituting the support means for the lever arms and lever plates and which brackets are keyed to the shafts 38 as mentioned. The levers 72 are pivotally mounted at 78. A spring 80 is mounted on bracket 76 at 82 on bolt 84 with its forward end passing through lever 72 as shown in FIG. 4a. The spring 80 is adapted for maintaining the lever 72 and associated lever plate 70 in forward position, indicated by full lines at S6. The positioning of the lever 72 can be adjusted by means of adjusting bolt 84 in an obvious manner. A switch 88 is adapted for actuation by an adjustable screw 90.

In operation, the motions of the kicker feed and register gate shaft are so controlled that the register gate and all the other devices carried by the shaft will be in working position before a sheet is fed in completely. When a sheet is advanced to the register gate which positions it accurately, the two sensing devices give a signal to actuate a pusher bar 92 in an upward direction. This pusher bar and the operating mechanism therefor which will be described hereinafter, is for the purpose of impaling the leading edges of the work sheets on hooks 94, mounted by brackets 96 on feeder bars 98 (FIG. 7). These feeder bars extend transversely of the apparatus in longitudinally spaced array and are secured for movement by spaced parallel endless chains 100 entrained around sprocket wheels 102 at the forward end of the machine and 104 at the delivery end of the machine. The sprocket wheels 102 are mounted on a conveyor drive shaft 106 adapted for driving through transmission 108 from a hydraulic drive motor 110 having suitable controls for the operation thereof.

The improved type of work sheet grippers as set forth in detail in the said aforementioned patent application includes a plurality of tines or prongs 112, preferably sharpened in one or more directions and bent at a right angle to the direction of pulling the blank or sheet through the machine. One or more of the tines can be provided with barbs on one or more sides or edges, to insure a more positive seizure of the sheet or blank after it has been pierced and penetrated. These tines or barbs are adapted to penetrate completely through the work sheet and give a positive drawing action thereto. They are susceptible of easy replacement and are capable of feeding warped and distorted blanks and sheets equally as well as ilat blanks and sheets. The grippers or hooks can easily be replaced by members of the same general type but -of a different design which will grip the blank or sheet a greater or smaller distance from the leading edge with more or fewer prongs, if desired or required.

The pusher bar mechanism is actuated by hydraulic cylinder 114 which is controlled by a solenoid valve which will be described in connection with the hydraulic and electrical circuit hereinafter. A lever arrangement consists of xed bearings 116 and 118 suitably mounted Vin the frame work of the mechanism and links 120 and 1.22, so designed Ithat the upward motion o-f the pusher bar 92 which is mounted on brackets 124 by bolts 126 on shaft 128 is vertical. Opposite the barbs 112 is a wooden insert 130 held in position by a clamp 132 to permit proper insertion of the barbs through the work piece and this wooden piece or insert is grooved to facilitate such entrance.

The hydraulic cylinder 114 is pivotally mounted at 134 at its lower end to bracket 135 suitably secured to a A plate lift shaft 140 passes through bracket 136 but this construction forms no part of the present invention. The deflector mechanism generally indicated 36 which guides the sheets into proper positionk is adapted to be pushed up during the engaging operation when the pusher bar 92 moves upwardly, since the deflecto-r 44 is free to rotate on shaft 33, being held g down only by the springs 43. As the pusher bar 92 completes its upward movement, a limit switch 142 is actuated by lever 144 carried on bearing 116 and which is adjustable through the medium of set screw 146. When the limit switch 142 is actuated, the register gate shaft 38 is adapted lfor retraction and the kicker feed 32, operable through hydraulic cylinder means generally indicated at 148, is returned to its neutral position. While the register gate shaft 3S is retracted, the sensing devices 66 move away from the leading edge of the sheet and lever arms 72 are returned to normal position by springs 80, tripping the limit switch 88. This signal is utilized to return the pusher bar 92 to its downward position. When the pusher bar 92 returns, the limit switch 142 is released which permits indexing mechanism to operate providing that all other interlocks which may be provided in the apparatus are cleared. Timing or synchronization of all the motions described hereinabove and hereinbelow can, if desired, be done by time delay relays, or by a cam shaft actuated by a hydraulic motor means controlling cam operated hydraulic valves which in turn control the hydraulic cylinder which actuates the various devices.

Referring to FIGS. 10-13, operation of the impaling means will be understood. A hydraulic cylinder 37 is operatively connected to the deector mechanism 36 and associated parts. This hydraulic cylinder is operable when actuated to move the deliector mechanism angularly upwardly. When sensing devices 66 are depressed by contact of the sheets 241 therewith, the initial contact being shown in FIG. l0, and the depressed relation shown in FIG. 1l, switch 8S will be closed. This actuates cylinder 114 which raises the pusher bar 92 and the sheets are thereby impaled on hooks (FIG. 12). Movement of the cylinder rod causes rotation of lever 144 and limit switch 142 is thereby closed. This in turn causes actuation of hydraulic cylinder 37 to raise the register gates, sensing devices and deector mechanism to the position shown in FIG. 13, and Ithe cycle as explained above is initiated.

Following the described actuation of the pusher bar mechanism 92, which serves to impale the leading edge of a working Isheet or piece 20 on the barbs or tines attached to the feeder bars, and when the apparatus is properly indexed, the sheet will be drawn from its position of registration with the register gates into and under the movable platen 150, movably superimposed over platen bed or base 152. The cycle of operations will then stop movement of the chains and feeder bars with the work sheets in proper registry with the platen members. Subsequently, the upper platen member will lower and effect the desired and required working on the work sheet. Following this the upper platen member will raise and in so doing the indexing mechanism will again be actuated so that the chains are again driven forwardly taking therewith the Work sheet or piece which has been acted on in the platen press. The chains will continue to move until such time that a feeder bar carrying the so worked on sheet arrives and comes to a complete stop at the delivery station of the machine shown in detail in FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawings wherein the sheet is adapted for being removed from the carrying barbs or tines and discharged as desired into a stack or delivery conveyor means therefrom. The mechanism at the delivery end for effecting discharge of the worked on sheets will be delined hereinafter.

It will be noted that during the course of travel, the chains are completely supported throughout their entire course by means of plates 154 which can be of channel shape or otherwise as desired and well-known in the art. The return run of the chains is below the platen press and externally of the lateral dimensions thereof, consequently completely freeing the upper part of the mechanism for repairs and/ or access. Referring to FIG. 2b of the drawings, it will be noted that the chains, being flexible, are depressed or curved down- 7 wardly when the upper platen member 150 moves to its lowcrmost working position. Interposed between theV discharge end of the platen press and the remaining run chain there is a pivoted arm 156 under each run of the chain, pivoted at 158, adapted forraising the chains and feeder bars attached thereto carrying the worked on sheets to their normal position with respect toV their entrance elevation in the platen press. These Vguide members 156 have adjustable' stop means 160` to limit their uppermost angular position.

l FIG. 2c shows' the pivotedvarm 156' in raised or horizontal position with the movable platen 150 moved upwardly awayfrom the platen base or bed 152, and the chains have been permitted to raise from their depressed position to their normal horizontal ight.

FIG. 2d is a cross sectional View taken on line Zei-2d of FIG. 2c showing the guiding relationship of the pivoted armV 156 contacting the lower portions of the chain links k162 intermediate the. chain end plates 164il operable in an obvious manner.

FIGS-Zh, 8, 14 and 15 are here referred toV with reference -toa description of the discharge'cr delivery end of the Vmechanism in cross 'sectional or elevational view, and FIG. 9 is a top plan view ofl thisv portion of the machine. It will be seen that the sheets or work ypieces 20-impaled on the .-tines or prongs 112 are raised at their leading edge as they are pulled through themachine following the working operation at the platen press, Y

When the feeder bar 98 arrives and comes to acomplete stop at the delivery station of the machine, the cut sheet is discarded. At this point feeder bar 98a contacts Ya'nd'trips a limit switchl68 which in turn energizes solenoid valve 170 which controls cylinder 172. The cylinder 172 operates to rotate shaft' 174 through leverk 176,

180 are each 'secured tothe arms 178 by means of braak-p The ejector bars 180 which aresubstantially ellipticalY in shape have cut-out portions192 of size and a shape to permit their passage'xaroun'd or over'the. hooks 94, as shownin FIG. 14, for the purpose of'permitting removal offthework sheets or pieces 20 Vfrom these hooks Y during discharge or deliveryvof the sheets at the delivery/ end. During operation it will benotedthat the motion of the ejector bars 180 will be vertical when these bars L contact the sheets 20 to eject it from the hooks -94 due to the relationship and operationV Vof,y arms 178, levers` mounted. Y Y A plurality of Varms 194 are'mounted for freeV rotation onf shaft 174 and .at their free` ends, each carry a'roller 196."

Motion of the arms 194 is controlled Vby arms 178 Yin con- Y juction with an Veye bolt Vhaving one end `secured through bracket 200on' .arm Y178, ywith the `Yother end pivotally Vmounted'at202'on arms194. V A coil spring r204 surf' Vrounds eyerboltl98 andisinterposed between bracket 200 and leversv184Y andanns 194. Motion of the .arm

wheels 104 at4 the delivery end of the machine are splined onto delivery end Ashaft 210 mounted in'bearing trunnions 212. I j

The delivery roll 206 is mounted on shaft 214 operatively connectedk with hydraulic rmotor 208 as seenfrom FIG. 9 of the drawings. Hydraulic motor 208 is controlled by cam valve'216 which `is actuated by cam 218. Camv 218 is mounted on vshaft 174 so that when cylinder l172 is actuated to eject a sheet, the cam valve 216 is operated by cam 218 which starts up hydraulic motor 208 thereby rotating shaft 214 together withdelivery roll 206. A coil'spring 220 operativelyl connected `to eye bolt 224 having one end connected to lever 176 serves as a cushioning and return means for the shaft 174 to thereby inactivate cam valve 216'to stop operation of delivery roll 206 Vas will appear hereinafter. The sheet which is ejected is thereby brought up to speed by the delivery roll206 with the Ytopwsurface Aof the sheet being contacted by rollers 196 tov cause a frictional engagement between the two rollers andthe sheetl is then delivered to a take-off Vtable or a conveyor. The speedrof delivery roll 206 can be Ycontrolled by a flow control valve which ywill be described hereinafter with reference to the hydraulic circuit.

It will be noted thatv the cam valve 216 is preferably Va cam operated four-way valve and theow control valve .with thek upper surface thereof at substantially the same ylevel as the table 23.0 for supporting the work sheets after ejection Vfrom the hooks. An opening 232 isl provided l in `the top surface of the member 228V. A micro-switch 236 having a'roller 238 on the free end of the leverk thereof The cam 240 is spring biassed to the up position shown inV FIGj-14fwherein Ythe step engages lwith the stop 250 to limit itsupward movement. WhenV depressed, by engagement ofa sheet with the nose portion 244, the cam f will actuate the micro-switch 236. If, however, the sheet v184 and brackets 182 on which ,themejectoribars Y180r are 194 is lcontrolledby the arm 178, theeye bolt198f-and the coil Vsprin'g204.v Actuationwillbe initiated by armV 178-.uponrotation ofwshafrtt1`74, andthe utilization yof the coil Vsprings V20.4 eliminates AYthe necessity Vof Vadjustingthis Y arm for different thickness of Vfeed material. As'itheV ejector `bars 180 move from the positionshown in FIG.v 8 y to that shown in FIG. 14, they willpiush or eject the work v sheets20 from `thehooksll "and disconnectthrem from` the tinesfor `barhsth'ereo'n in a positive"mannery as ind cated in FIGKJ14,v 'After the sheets are ejected,the1rollers' 2196will, duey tomotion of; arms 19,4'downwardly, push the` sheets onto a delivery roll 206.Y The delivery Yroll 206` is adapted for driving by hydraulic motor/'2,08 ''lfhe sprocket M1210 Vis controlled Vby, a number of hydraulic valves is improperly presented or not presented to the'cam 240 during the normal cycle Yofvoperation or sequence of operations ofthe apparatus, the micro-switch yacts to deenergize theV entire apparatus forsafety purposesf Referring toFIGS. 16-18 inclusive, the indexing drive and operation` of the mechanism 'will be explained. As pointedout hereinbefore, two sprocket Wheelsy 102 are mounted on conveyor drive'fshaft v106 to drive the two endless chains to which.the feeder bars 98 are atjtached. The Vshaft 106 is rrdrivenby, agear reducer transmission 108,with the-input shaftv thereof 252 (see FIG.'4)

Yconnected torhypdraulic motor r'110. The Vhydraulicmotor Y Y, 'which in turn are controlled by'camsj. -j Y' Y -vl' The sprockets102-are dimension'ed-in such a lmanner ,that lthe circumference'of the ysprocket at theV pitch diameter is equaltoone indexing motion or smovement.

Consequently.v the `drive shaft 106 Twill always complete one'jrevolutionV toy advance `t'herfeedermpbars 98 vone full AVpitch or step; A cam Voperated valve 254 is Yused to control hydraulic motorV 110. This cam operatedvalve 254 irs actuated indirectlybycam 256 through an 'adjustable leverV arrangement broadlydesignated 258. Caml 256 is mountedgonandkeyedto drive shaft'r106..l The cam,V

256zis l'so-designedfthatj'fi1llflow is permitted through camI va1ve1254 during acceleration of the' mechanism.

v lfocontrol deceleration rtliereofthe camv256'operates to `Vgradually: close thefc'arn-.y'alve 425.4 Inletrflow toas well as outlet flow from hydraulic motor 110 is controlled by cam valve 254. Under certain circumstances it is desirable and necessary to be able to change the rate of acceleration of the mechanism for which purpose a pressure reducing valve 260 is mounted in the pressure line to the cam valve 254. An adjusting knob is provided at pressure reducing valve 260 whereby the oil pressure to the cam Valve 254, and accordingly hydraulic motor 110, can be reduced to any desired magnitude. If desired, a remote control valve can be used to effect this pressure adjustment at a convenient location. The pressure reducing valve 260 can be used to limit maximum pressure to the motor 110 in an obvious manner.

A solenoid operated valve 262 is incorporated in the hydraulic system to permit instantly reducing the pressure to zero when the machine is stopped. This solenoid operated valve 262 is connected to the pilot port of pressure reducing valve 260, and when energized has the same effect as setting the remote control valve referred to hereinabove to zero pressure. A cam operated valve 264 is used for the purpose of decreasing the oil pressure during deceleration of each indexing motion. This cam operated valve 264 is controlled by a cam 266, attached to cam 256, by means of bolts or the like 268. It will be noted from FIG. 17 of the drawings, that the cam 266 is a segmental one since it is required only for operation during certain cycles of the machine and means are provided for adjusting cam 266. A check valve 270 is inserted in the hydraulic circuit to protect the motor 110 from receiving over pressure while the cam valve 254 is gradually closed. This check valve 270 interconnects the outlet port of the hydraulic motor 110 with the pressure circuit. Accordingly, if pressure builds up beyond the pressure in the circuit, oil will then be discharged to the circuit thereby limiting the maximum pressure on the outlet port of drive motor 110 to that of the accumulator in the circuit.

Needle valves 272 and 274 are incorporated in the yhydraulic circuit `for controlling the drive motor 119 when the cam operated valve 254 is closed completely. Of these, valve 272 supplies oil to the motor to bring the indexing into its final position as well as to starrt the lindexing motion. Valve 274 is operable to control the velocity at which the indexing is iinally stopped, with the indexing arm 276 pivotally mounted at 273 on bracket 280, in conjunction with indexing stop 282 keyed onto drive shaft 106.

The indexing arm 276 is actuated by hydraulic cylinder 284 which in yturn is controlled by solenoid operated valve 286.

Reposit-ioning of the feeder bars 93 and chains 1136 can be accomplished by adjusting screw 288 which controls position of indexing stop 282 with respect to arm 276.

The rod side of cylinder 284 is under pressure at all times which acts to return the indexing arm 276 to the full line position shown .in FIG. 18 as soon as the head pressure is released by solenoid operated valve 286, for safety purposes.

When cutting of a work sheet or piece 2t) has been completed, a signal is given to valve 286 which applies pressure to the bottom or piston side of cylinder 284. The indexing arm 276 is thereby raised to the dotted line position of FIG. 18, and main drive shaft 196 will commence to rotate.

During this rotation, a signal from limit switch 296 serves to reset cylinder 284 and indexing arm 276 is lowered thereby to stop and position shaft 166. Limit switch 290 is actuated by lever 258 through adjustable screw 292. Lever 258V also controls cam valve 254 through .adjustable screw 294. Spring and pin means 296 bias lever 258 to the position shown in FIG. 17. The

tripping point of limit switch 29h can be adjusted by adf justment of the relative position of screw`292. A-fter ind'exing 'arm 276 has 'been raised, the complete indexing cycle is then controlled hydraulically.

While various systems of sequence control might be employed to effect continuous cyclic operation and synchronism of the various components of the hydraulic system schematically shown in FIG. 19, one such method of control is schematically illustrated in FIG. 20. This embodies an electrical system which, when activated by the usual start circuit, initiates operation of the machine and the various sequences are conducted in timed relation to each other. It will be seen, however, that sequential operation progresses only as long as effective interlocks are made, and should a condition arise resulting in faulty performance of the machine, the machine will shut down automatically until the cause of such failure is remedied.

The electric circuit is so designed that certa-in operations are completed after the stop button is actuated. This results in a simplified circuit and does not require memory devices. No danger to operating personnel is created by the operations completed after the machine is stopped.

During idling of the machine, since the intermittent motion drive always brings the feeder bars 9S to a stop in the indexed position (FIG. 18), the limit switches 168, 16S are held closed which energizes relay 318.

Relay 390 is de-energized, which energizes solenoid 308 of valve 3i@ through the normally closed contact 30G-2. This keeps the register gate in up position (FIG. 13).

Relay 324 is dre-energized, which energizes solenoid 33? of valve 332 to bring the platen table 15G to the up position. This up position is determined by limit switch 334 which is actuated by a cam 151 mounted on platen table 150 (FIG. 2l).

Referring now to FIGS. 19 and 20, a conventional startstop switch is incorporated in the circuit. L1 and L2 designate line connections. When start switch 304 is actuated, relay 302 is energized through the normally closed stop contact of switch 3% and held in by start contact 3452-1. This energizes relay 300, energizing solenoid 308a, and die-energizing solenoid 3%, of valve 3163, simultaneously lowering the register gate and associated devices through hydraulic cylinder 312, as the bottom sheet or blank in the magazine is fed into the machine. Upon reaching the register gate position where it is brought to rest, sensing switches 88, 58 in series with operating solenoid 314a of the valve 314, detect the presence of the sheet or blank, and `also whether it is properly aligned for the transfer operation immediately to follow. These switches are single pole, double throw and if they are closed by vthe presence of a properly aligned blank, the solenoid 314e will be energized to actuate the valve 314. This results in operation of the pusher bar 92 through hydraulic cylinder 114 to impinge the sheet, thus presented, upon the tines of the feeder bar 98. Conversely, if a sheet is not so presented, but comes to rest in a position askew or out of position for proper registry with the conveyor bar, the machine comes, automatically, to a stop, since solenoid Sida is not energized. In this case, a signal light (not shown) is illuminated through time delay relay 336 which is a slow closing relay. This is accomplished by energizing time delay relay 336 -by contact 399-4. It relay 3th@ remains energized for several seconds, which means that the sheet or blank is not positioned properly, the time delay relay 336 will close and the signal light is illuminated. This relay 336 could also be -used to interrupt the cycle of the machine by de-energizmg relay 302. However, it has been found desirable not to do so since in most cases it is possible to advance the bottom sheet a little further by hand to bring it into perfect registered position and thus continuing operation of the machine.

Actuation of the pusher bar 92 to complete the .transfer operation results in closing contacts 142e of switch 142 which energizes relay 366 which is held in by contact 3de-2. When relay 396 is energized, the normally closed contact 3%6-1 opens and de-energizes relay 3d@ which results in energizing solenoid 30S, and de-ener- 'thusrrreleasing limit switch 236and' cle-energizing relay mation that one sheet has been fed in and impinged into it the times. In case the'machine is stopped during-the so far described sequence of the machine, all the operations described will be completed. If the operation isre sumed (no matter if the machine has been shut off altogether or only stopped by actuating stop switch 304') relay 328 will start the cycle at the correctv point, by preventing relay 300 from being energized and closing the circuit of relay 320.V

If the operation is not stopped, contact 329-1 of relay 320 energizes solenoid 286a of valve 286' to lift cylinder 284 to permit rotation of the drive shaft for indexing Ithe conveyor and advance the sheet or blank. Soleing vthe cut blank at fthe delivery end of the machine. When the required cutting pressure in the hydraulic cylinders (not shown) is reached, pressure switch 340 is actuated, thus opening-the normally closed contact and deenergizing relay 324, which results -in de-energizingr solenoid 330:1 and energizing solenoid 330 of valve 332. This results in bringing the platenl table 150 to the up position and the cycle repeats.

Whenever a double solenoid is used, as shown in FIG. 19, there is always a pair of contacts of the same relay employed, one normally open, the other normally closed as shown inFIG. 20, using reference characters corresponding to the relays, to avoid energizing both relays atV the` Sametime in case of a failure or malfunctioning of any component. Y Y

Since the machine stops, but does not interrupt the electric cycle, when a blank does'not trip the limit switches 88, 88 (which is also the case when nosheet or blank is l fed'at all) the machine can be fed by hand very easily.

The machine adapts -itselfto any speed, and whenever a blank is fed'the machine will feed and cut it, no matter at V.what intervals thefblanks are fed, not exceeding maximum speed of machine of course. f Feeding byhand might noid 286:1 is only energized if all the other interlocks Vare cleared, `such as limit switch 338 andV the contact 322--2 of relay 322. Limit switch 338 is actuated by a cam' 153 (FIG. 21) on the platen table andinsures that the platen table is in the raised position to bar 98` to pass without touching. Y

Simultaneously with lowering of the register gate, Ycontact G-5 of relay 300 also energizes solenoid 170aV of valve 170 toy actuate cylinder 172 toV effect the stripping permit conveyor n Y 'i off of the outgoing Vsheet from the tines of its conveyor ,bar at the delivery end of the machine, and to 'feed theV thus freed sheet from the machine.

In case no sheet isV at the. delivery station when the machine is started up, the solenoid 170:1 is kept energized only as long as relay 300 is energized. ,'If a sheet is present at the deliverystation, limitswitch 236 detects vthe; pres-f ence of the freed vsheet andenergizes relayV 322, which keeps solenoid 170e energizedV through contact 322-1 until the sheet is completely delivered. In case the freed sheet is not delivered fast enough or gets jammed, limit switch 236tkeeps relay 322Y energized.V Asa result, the normally closed contact 322-2 of'relay 322- prevents solenoid 2861; frombeing energized.y The normally. open contact 322-2 however, energizes relay 326 which inter-V rupts the cycle byide-energizing' relays 302'.' Machine tonfof switch 304 after removing the jammed blankand The limitswitch 290 which sfoperated during indexing by the index mechanism, energizes relay 316 temporarily'. -V Y i As a result, relay 306 and relay 32811 kare, deiener'gized.

Relay k306 'I de-energizes relay; 320,'which de-energizes solenoid 286:1 forreversing valve 286 to` reset the'mechanism for stopping theV conveyor in its nextrindexed position. Y Contact, 316-4 offrelay 316 energizes relay 328b v to resetthe mechanically held relay 3278.-. 'Contact 316-2 w -of relay` 316 energizes relay324 through theV normallyV closed'contacts of'prcssure switchgaib.V Relay` 324 is i held inrby contact 324-1. Relay 32"4Fbeing energized, a blank is transported into Vcutting position,fwhich 'closes fr 4.o

warped D blanks.

be desirable on odd shaped blanks or very excessively While a specic'embodiment of` one form ofthe invention has been shown and described in Ydetail hereinabove, manifestly minor variations in structure can be Veffected and variations in the specific control circuits shown can be made without departing from the spirit4 land scope of the inventionas defined in the appended claims. Y f

I claim: v

` l. In a machine for performing working operations on blanks of material in successive stages at a plurality vof spaced working positions, bla-nk transfer'rneans for sequentially and intermittently feeding blankstoand Yaway from a work station, blank workr means at said station for intermittently performingy a Work operation on a said blank intimed sequencewith movement of said blank transfer means, blank discharge means for diseny gaging said blank at a discharge station and intermittent mot-ion drive mechanism to'start and index movement of said blank transfer means and stop the same' automatically in Vtimed sequence with the 'work' stroke of lsaid blank operationtmay be resumed Vby actuation of the starty but- Y Awork means, means for selectively Vcontrolling the time cycle Vof Vintermittent movement byrchanging the rate of acceleration` and thereby` deceleration of movement without changing the Work -stroke time of the machine, said i'luidrmotor'l being connected in a hydraulic circuit, pressure to said motor being'V variable whereby the rate of'acceleration and decelerationfof the drive means can be varied.' Y

2. In a machine Vas claimedinclaim l, a plurality of Vblank engageable means` positioned at said plurality .of

spaced working positions, sai/d blank engageable means be- Y ing operable for inactivatin-g saiddrive mechanism and said blank work means in thefabsence of a blank at-said the contact 324-3. ,Y The conveyor coming torlrest aftern f an incremental Vindexing'the'zlirnit switchesj/V168Q168t; close and energize-'relay 318. 'Contact 'S16-Slis a reset-V ting mechanism vfor mechanicalV Vstop controlled by solenoid valve 286m If the machine is ,stopped 'during index-QYV f ing, theipressure ini-the hydraulic system is instantly re- V,ducedfto zero and indexingY is completeV atrslowtspeed..r Contact n318,-2V lof relay.: 318 closing, energize's solenoidY 33661 of valve/'330, resulting in moving Vthe-zplaterrtableA 4 down "by meansV of hydraulic' cylinderV 342,.;andcuttifng the blank. .Relay 318' also lstarts-ftheV cycle Tof;feeding@Y working' positions Vror; kwhen '.a blank yis rimproperlyposi- 'tioned atA saidl working positions. f

3.Y jIn' a machine asfclairned in claimV 2, 'said blank L tr'ansfer., Vrrieans vincluf'lirigspacedparallel VVcontinuous if chains, Yspaced blank gripperrmea'ns secured to said lchains -adapted'to 'engage ag'leading'edge'y of ar said blank for transfer thereofthrough said machine upon movement Vof.YV saidV chains',alirnitgswitch positioned in the path of movement of said gripper meansfollowin'g said discharge rstation and operable .upon contact by asaid gripper means "tojactuate said'discharge means.' f v Y in claim 3, sensing means Y at-said discharge station forgsensing the/presence of a ing'y actuation of said discharge 4."In"a machine as clai "ed 5;; 'In V'apaolaine'las, clalmedfinfclaim. 4, 4said sensing "meanscmprisingya Yswitch Vmeans including a rotatable t-cam'fwithfa nose :portion'contactableby a blank passing thereover, rotation of said cam by a sheet continuing actuation of the discharge means and additionally indicating absence of a sheet or an improperly presented sheet to deenergize the machine.

6. In a machine for performing working operations on blanks of material in successive stages at a plurality of spaced working positions, blank transfer means for sequentially and intermittently feeding blanks to and away from a work station, blank work means at said station for intermittently performing a work operation on a said blank in timed sequence with movement of said blank transfer means, blank discharge means for disengaging said blank at a discharge station and intermittent motion drive mechanism to start and index movement of said blank transfer means and stop the same automatically in timed sequence with the work stroke of `said blank work means, said intermittent motion drive mechanism including a uid powered motor, and electrically and cam controlled fluid control valves operable upon initial energization of said mechanism to automatically control operation of said uid powered motor through the various cycles of intermittent operations thereof, means for selectively controlling the time cycle of intermittent movement and standstill of said mechanism and the rate of acceleration and deceleration of movement without changing the entire time cycle of the machine, said iiuid motor being connected in a hydraulic circuit, pressure to said motor being variable whereby the rate of acceleration and deceleration of the drive means can be varied, a stack of blanks being positioned at the entrance end of said machine, and kick feed means operatively associated therewith, register gate means positioned adjacent the stack and engageable by a blank fed from a stack thereof, switch means operable by said register gate means only upon proper presentation of a blank thereto to actuate said blank transfer means to engage a blank and initiate operation of said drive mechanism.

7. In a machine as claimed in claim 6, said last named switch means preventing operation of said machine if a sheet is improperly presented to said register gate means.

8. In a machine as claimed in claim 7, deector plate means adjacent said register gate operable to deect the leading edge of a blank being fed, said deflector plate means being pivotally mounted and movable upon actuation of said switch means by said gate to elevate or rotate away from and free the leading edge of -a blank.

9. In a machine as claimed in claim 8, switch means operable by said work means to inactivate said drive mechanism during a working stroke and prevent movement of said transfer means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 555,422 2/96 Van Benthuysen 271-50 704,058 7/02 Lilly 271-44 1,212,242 1/17 Novick 271-46 X 1,286,714 12/18 Moore 271-50 X 1,342,187 6/20 Smith 271-82 1,715,141 5/29 Mathieson 198-135 X 2,226,674 12/40 Seybold 271-79 2,258,880 10/41 Bobst 271-50 2,362,736 11/44 Weiss lOl-227 X 2,402,777 6/46 Rose et al 198-135 X 2,657,052 10/53 Elliott 271-79 2,722,417 11/55 Nitchie 271-50 2,737,388 3/56 Gottscho 271-35 2,747,346 5/56 Tigerman 198-135 X ROBERT B. REEVES, Acting Primary Examiner.

ROBERT A. LEIGI-IEY, ROBERT E. PULFREY,

RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Examiners. 

1. IN A MACHINE FOR PERFORMING WORKING OPERATIONS ON BLANKS OF MATERIAL IN SUCCESSIVE STAGES AT A PLURALITY OF SPACED WORKING POSITIONS, BLANK TRANSFER MEANS FOR SEQUENTIALLY AND INTERMITTENTLY FEEDING BLANKS TO AND AWAY FROM A WORK STATION, BLANK WORK MEANS AT SAID STATION FOR INTERMITTENTLY PERFORMING A WORK OPERATION ON A SAID BLANK IN TIMED SEQUENCE WITH MOVEMENT OF SAID BLANK TRANSFER MEANS, BLANK DISCHARGE MEANS FOR DISENGAGING SAID BLANK AT A DISCHARGE STATION AND INTERMITTENT MOTION DRIVE MECHANISM TO START AND INDEX MOVEMENT OF SAID BLANK TRANSFER MEANS AND STOP THE SAME AUTOMATICALLY IN TIMED SEQUENCE WITH THE WORK STROKE OF SAID BLANK WORK MEANS, MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY CONTROLLING THE TIME CYCLE OF INTERMITTENT MOVEMENT BY CHANGING THE RATE OF ACCELERATION AND THEREBY DECELERATION OF MOVEMENT WITHOUT CHANGING THE WORK STORKE TIME OF THE MACHINE, SAID FLUID MOTOR BEING CONNECTED IN A HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT, PRESSURE TO SAID MOTOR BEING VARIABLE WHEREBY THE RATE OF ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION OF THE DRIVE MEANS CAN BE VARIED. 